Tuesday, November 10, 2015

Celebrate Diwali in Thailand Style! Make Krathongs or lotus shaped ecofriendly boats made of banana leaves:)-‘Krathongs’, are small lotus-shaped boats made of banana leaves and banana tree, or environmentally insensitive Styrofoam. These these rafts are entrusted with candles, incense, flowers, and coins before they are floated down rivers, into lakes, or simply atop a still backyard pond.Bread raft was introduced to protect the environment because of the fact that having numerous rafts can lead to a huge water pollution problem. As a result, the bread raft was ingeniously created not only for the user, but eventually, the raft will become food for the fishes and other animals living in the river. All forms of rafts are decorated with uniquely folded banana leaves, candles, flowers and incense sticks, among others.The krathong are both signs of respect to the goddess of the water, and apologies to the River Goddess for polluting her waters during the year .Loy Krathong is celebrated during the full moon of the 12th month in the Thai lunar calendar and usually falls in November in western Gregorian calendar.I remember the similarity these boats have to the flower boats we float in Rishikesh and Haridwar! Its beautiful to think about the similarity in thoughts and the rituals:)- all over the world..

Friday, November 6, 2015

Reading and learning more every day about the traditions and stories that
fascinate, inspire and makes me the person I am today. I hope I can honor these
traditions and teach my children to follow them for the adoration and
ornamentation of the earth which sustains us, but equally a ritual invocation
of the Gods for acquiring their blessings more than beautifying the homes. This
year at home its going to much more on a traditional note as always. The more
you read about I am in love with the floor designs a visual prayer created on
the earth.

Rice art on the floor is a representation of the artistic sensibility
of the people of that state of India.

Rice art on the floor is known in different names in the whole of Indian Subcontinent. Its quite interesting as we read through the literature and different blogs and books.Kolam in tamilnadu,Rangoli in Gujarat,Karnataka and Maharashtra,Aipan in Himachal Pradesh,Aripan in Bihar,Alpona In West Bengal,Chita in Orissa,Mandana in Rajasthan,Muggu in Andra pradesh and Chowkpurana in UP.

“Drawn with rice powder, lime or chalk, the process of creation is as
important as the finished form. The designs drawn thus on the floor have a
magical power and presence. They were used as welcoming signs at the entrance
of the house, for a guest must be welcomed with grace and elegance. Beauty
being equated with godliness, it was also the symbol of good omen and therefore
is associated with every phase of life. These universal patterns and symbols
were created and revered during rituals” (As explained by d.source.in).The
floor paintings have also been used as protection against evil spirits. While
drawing these rangolis special attention is paid to the fact that the entire
design must be unbroken and must not have any gaps for an evil spirit to enter.

Lived in South India I am quite familiar with the word Kolam. A rice art
which is popular in South India ,basically in Tamilnadu.They are believed to produce cosmic positive energies which benefit people residing in the house".In olden days,
kolams used to be drawn in coarse rice flour, so that the ants don't have to
work that much for to long for a meal. The rice powder is said to invite birds
and other small critters to eat it, thus inviting other beings into one's home
and everyday life: a daily tribute to harmonious co-existence. It is a sign of
invitation to welcome all into the home, and the goddess Lakshmi the "goddess of prosperity".(courtesy:http://dereisnaarbatik.blogspot.in/)

Different commuities,different states have their own variation in decorating
these visual prayers on the floor. Alpana is a sacred art in India, in which
drawing are made using rice powder on floors in front of houses and around
altars. It is known under different names, in different areas of India, most
common 'Rangoli', 'Kolam' and 'Jhoti'. The word Alpana is derived from the
Sanskrit "alimpana", which means "to plaster" or "to
coat with".The circular Alpana is very important and is drawn as a holy
pedestal while worshipping a deity, especially during Lakshmi Puja.Aripan is a
variation of Rangoli, practiced in Bihar. The Aripan floor painting is derived
from the Sanskrit word Alepan (meaning - to smear). It refers to smearing the
ground with cow dung and clay for the purpose of purification. Aripan is a type
of Mithila art that originated in the Mithila region of Bihar, particularly in
the village of Madhubani. The origin of the art is shrouded in mystery. It is
generally believed that it was created during the epic period when King Janak
of Mithila ordered the marriage hall to be decorated for his daughter Sita’s
marriage to Lord Rama. Some vivid descriptions of these wall and floor
paintings are present in Tulsidas’s Ramcharitamanas. Aipan patterns and motifs
are typical to the region of Kumaon. For the Kumaonis, each deity in the Hindu
pantheon has a special symbol and every occasion demands an Aipan of a
different kind. Every Aipan design has a particular meaning attached to it.

A compulsory aspect of Lakshmipuja (is performed during Diwali, the
festival of lights. Diwali marks the end of the harvest season in most of
India) is the alpana drawn by women.These paintings are made with rice powder
mixed with water (for special occasions limestone and red brick powder(Geru)
for contrast are also used and that is a peculiarity of Mandana paintings in
Rajasthan. Modern interpretations have accommodated chalk, and ready-made
rangolis of wood, plastic templates and vinyl stickers). There are several
motifs that are drawn on the floor around the deity's altar. The motifs are
stylized in characteristic ways and incorporate certain patterns associated
with Lakshmi such as the lotus, Lakshmi's feet, Lakshmi's companion owl, the
sun, a ladder, a plough, a fish, betel (the leaf of a vine belonging to the
Piperaceae family, which includes pepper and Kava), shankhalata (a snake) and
sheaves of rice. The alpana represent the world of the goddess and brings good
fortune to the home.

Lakshmi is the Hindu goddess of
wealth, prosperity (both material and spiritual), fortune, and the embodiment
of beauty. She is the consort of the god Vishnu. Also called Mahalakshmi, she
is said to bring good luck and is believed to protect her devotees from all kinds of misery and money-related sorrows.

In Bengal, Lakshmi is worshiped in autumn when the moon is full, the brightest night of the year. It is believed that she showers wealth on this night. She, along with her mount, the great white owl, descends to Earth and takes away the darkness of poverty, stagnation, anger, and laziness from our lives. Her vahana owl represents royalties, penetrating sight and intelligence.

Making alpana is considered an important part of the spiritual process. Not everybody can do alpana, those who can are considered special and admired for their artistic quality. There are rules to be followed making rangoli or kolam. In front of houses the patterns made should be closing, so that evil spirits can't enter. It is best to make the drawing without pausing or lifting your hand to far from the ground. In some places the kolams are made everyday, in other places only during special occasions like marriages and rituals.

It represents a philosophy of life that enthusiastically celebrates the impermanence of knowing and devotes itself to a constant wish to live in the present.

Worshipping Lakshmi isn't just about doing rituals, it's about making a nice home for your family and guests, being creative and fulfilled with what you got. This will bring you happiness and therefore fortune.

For the Tamil festival of Pongal, when the first of the new crop of rice is offered to the Sun God, Surya, elaborate drawings (kolam) made of rice flour are created in front of village houses. Tamil Nadu, India, 2000

Monday, November 2, 2015

The diwali festivities started yesterday with the making of an Aakash Kandili at home:)-

Watch out for a series of small Diwali inspirations:) ,Diwali stories and videos!

A kandeelis alanternwith a wooden framework and covered in coloured matte or glossy papers. These lanterns are generally hung in front of homes during theHindufestival of lights,Diwali.]Kandeel inSanskritis known asakasha deepa(lantern of the sky) and inKannada, Goodu Deepa (nested light), or Nakshatra Gudu (star-like nest). Hindus in earlier days set kandeels afloat high, a gesture to invite the spirits of their ancestors moving around to come back home and be with them during the festival time; hence the nameakasha deepa(lantern of the sky) or AkashaKandil.

In Kerala, we call it as akasha vilakku. During the Hindu lunar month of 'Kartika', the people use to put akasha deepam, in place on roof tops of the houses and light them in the evening until dawn breaks in and up to the Karthika Paurnami (full moon) day or Dev Dewali day. Earlier oil lamps were used, which are fixed in the panjire (cage models), now colourful electrical lights are used instead. By lighting the panjiras it is believed that during Kartika those who had died used to visit their houses and wish their relatives wellbeing, or if the lights were not lit in front of the house, the curses them to live them in darkness in life.

Kandeels are hung for around a month from the first day of Diwali. Kandeels are traditionally built in a crystal shape with tails at the bottom; shapes include stars, globes and airplanes. Opaque papers cut into a complex design give more beauty to a Kandeel by blocking some of the light behind it.

Aakash Kandili

Skylanterns,Aakash Deepam

Paper lanterns

Images courtesy from here and here and article information courtesy..Wikipedia

if any problem in using these images,let me know and we will get them removed.